Camaro Convertible Debuts In Los Angeles - Web Exclusive

The next chapter in the Camaro's renaissance begins with the unveiling of the convertible model at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. Available in base V-6 and V-8 SS models, it should build upon Camaro's stature as the best-selling ponycar on the planet.

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According to Chevrolet, the new convertible begins production in January and goes on sale in February. It includes an enhanced body structure and well-tailored top mechanism-a combination designed to deliver sports coupe-like driving fun and precise quality, according to GM.

"The launch of the new convertible opens Camaro design and performance to a new set of potential customers," said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. "The 21st century revival of Camaro is tremendously popular, so it's a natural to now expand and elevate the product range in new directions."

The convertible will be offered in similar model configurations as the Camaro coupe. The standard model will have a 312-horsepower direct injection V-6. The SS model will feature the same 6.2L V-8 engine choices as the coupe. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, with an optional six-speed automatic.

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As bold as the Camaro coupe is, the convertible looks much sleeker with the top down. It doesn't suffer from the chopped-top look of the hardtop. Like the Corvette, only one latch holds the top to the windshield header, which will make dropping the top a quick, one-handed operation.

Once the latch is turned to the open position, the push of a single button lowers the windows and activates the top. The car doesn't have to be parked for the top to be activated, allowing for spur-of-the-moment lowering while stopped at a stoplight.

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The top is made of thick, durable canvas and it features acoustical headliner material that provides a quiet, coupe-like ride when the top is up. It also incorporates a glass rear window and rear window defogger.

The Camaro convertible's structure has been fortified to provide uncompromising, coupe-like driving dynamics, according to the Chevrolet press release that's been issued. Its enhanced body structure helps prevent cowl or steering wheel shake, for a strong, confident feel in all driving conditions. The top has a smooth, tailored fit, with acoustical foam in the headliner that helps deliver a quiet ride with the top up.

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Camaro convertible is offered in 1LT/2LT (V-6) and 1SS/2SS (V-8) trim packages and priced from $30,000 MSRP (including $850 destination). Nine production exterior colors are available, with tops offered in black or tan. Rear parking assist is standard on all convertible models.

The Camaro's architecture was designed to accommodate a convertible model, which means customers enjoy the fun of top-down cruising with coupe-like driving dynamics. Four strategic reinforcements enhance the already-stiff body structure to eliminate common convertible maladies of cowl and steering wheel shake. They include:

A tower-to-tower brace under the hood

A transmission support reinforcement brace

Underbody tunnel brace

Front and rear underbody "V" braces.

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"Our goal in development was to make the convertible match the coupe as closely as possible in ride quality, handling and overall performance," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer.

A telling example of the Camaro convertible's strength is evidenced in its suspension tuning-specifically, the lack of changes between the convertible and coupe models.

"To compensate for the reduced structure of an open car, engineers often will make the suspension softer, making the convertible a boulevard cruiser," said Oppenheiser. "Instead, we took the more difficult, but better path of bolstering structure rather than softening the suspension. We didn't change a strut, bushing or spring rate from the Camaro coupe."

The result is a convertible that preserves nearly all the acceleration, road-holding and performance capabilities of the Camaro coupe.

Additional safety structural reinforcements are designed to improve noise and vibration characteristics, while also contributing to the elimination of cowl/steering wheel shake. They include a hydrofromed tube in the A-pillars, an inner reinforcement bracket in the windshield header, a reinforced front hinge pillar and reinforcements inside the rockers.

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The structural changes to the Camaro convertible body give it superior bending and torsional stiffness than its closest competitor, and better torsional stiffness than the BMW 3-Series convertible.

At the outset, designers and engineers sought to eliminate the common appearance of convertible top support ribs and they succeeded, using composite knuckles rather than aluminum ones, as well as extending the top material below the belt line and revising the top's stitch lines. The result is a top that has a smooth, taut and carefully tailored appearance that also retains the sleek roofline of the coupe.

A folding, one-piece tonneau cover is standard on 2LT and 2SS models and optional on 1LT/1SS. It covers the folded top for a finished appearance. An accessory windscreen is available from Chevrolet dealers. It installs behind the front seats to limit wind buffeting when driving with the top down.

More From GM On The Camaro Convertible

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A myriad of details distinguish Camaro convertible models, including:

The OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna moves to the deck lid on LT models without the RS package

The radio antenna is embedded in the rear spoiler on RS-equipped LT and SS models

The trunk lock cylinder is moved to the rear seat area for a cleaner exterior appearance

A new subwoofer design is located in the trunk between the rear seats.

Because the combined OnStar/XM/AM-FM radio antenna is mounted on the roof of coupe models, it had to be relocated on the convertible. On RS-equipped LT models and SS models, which include a rear spoiler, a small "shark fin" OnStar/XM antenna is mounted on the deck lid, while the AM/FM radio antenna is hidden inside the rear spoiler. This patent-pending design creates a sleeker appearance. For LT models without a rear spoiler (without the RS package), the combined antenna is located in the center of the deck lid.

The relocation of the trunk lock cylinder also cleans up the Camaro convertible's appearance, moving from the panel between the taillamps to a discreet area between the rear seat back cushion and driver's side interior panel. The change retains full, lockable access to the trunk, with the keyless remote fob also offering easy trunk access.

Finally, the subwoofer - either an eight-inch unit with the base sound system or a 10-inch subwoofer with the available Boston Acoustics system - is relocated from the trunk to an area between the rear seat cushions.

Performance

Camaro LT convertible models are offered with a 3.6L direct injection (DI) V-6 that delivers more power through increased efficiency, while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions - including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. It is rated at 312 horsepower (232 kW) and 278 lb.-ft. of torque (370 Nm). Peak fuel economy with the direct injection V-6 is 29 miles per gallon on the highway.

Two 6.2L V-8 engines are offered in Camaro SS models, including the L99 on automatic-equipped vehicles and the LS3 on manual-equipped models. Both engines are derived from the LS3 that debuted on the 2008 Corvette, with an aluminum block (with cast iron cylinder liners) and aluminum cylinder heads. Horsepower for the L99 is 400 (298 kW) and torque is 410 lb.-ft. (556 Nm). The LS3 develops 426 horsepower (318 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm).

The L99 features the fuel-saving Active Fuel Management System, which saves fuel by shutting down half of the engine's cylinders during certain light-load driving conditions, such as highway cruising.

All Camaro models can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The Aisin AY6 six-speed manual is standard with the 3.6L engine, and a Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic is optional. A Tremec TR 6060 six-speed manual is standard on the SS, and the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic is optional.

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